Good Morning, Its so hard to plan for the
unknown because its just that...Unknown. But if you're in a quake zone,
fire zone, hurricane zone, flood zone or any other kind it should give you
a hint of what 'could' happen. For instance whenever i go to DC (DC is a
prime man made disaster area) to work any more, i take along water, food (mostly
peanut butter, crackers, jerky, and fruit) that i have to snack on and it allows
me to not have to eat fast foods. I figure if i had too i could live for a week
out of my truck, which lately i keep full at all times. The thing you need
to know is you NEVER know when something will happen. The one thing i
remember from the Army is to...."In Chaos, Stop" and rather than
Re-Act....Act.
There was so much i had never considered or known
before yesterday. Some of those things are...there is a flashlight that
doesn't use batteries, you just shake it and it stays lit for an hour or
so that would be good to keep in trucks and trailers and be able to use in even
normal times. Mine have always seemed to be out of juice when i need them
most. Fire extinguishers in home and trucks (there was
recently a post on bearings on trailers on RC that hit me 3 times when twice i
lost wheels on a trailer and 1 time i was stopped at a light and saw someone
coming out from a gas station w/ a fire extinguisher and my rear wheel was
smoking w/ a small fire and i did not even know i had a problem) FEMA has
a good list of things on their web-site under "Are you ready?"
Step 1 Learn the Hazards
Step 2 Meet w/ your family to plan
ahead for the elderly, escape routes and rendevous points
Step 3 Put plan in action post
telephone (ICE in case of emergency #'s on your cell phone) Learn and have
first aid kit and learn CPR (i have to do this)
Step 4 Practice the plan (same plan will work for
most disasters)
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit w/ 3 day supply of
nonperishable food and MANUAL can opener, 3 day supply of water (1 gal.
per person per day) battery powered radio or TV and extra batteries, first aid
kit and manual, sanitation and hygiene items, matches in waterproof container,
whistle, extra clothing and blankets, kitchen accessories and cooking utensils,
photocopies of ID and credit cards, Cash (small bills), special needs
items, items for infants, tools, pet supplies and other items to meet your
unique family needs. If you live in a cold climate, warm clothes and
sleeping supplies. Supplies for your vehicle, flash light, water, jumper
cables, flares, food...Rotate your supplies and use them in normal life
activity.
When disaster strikes, remain calm. I've been
in situations when even the 'professionals' have lost reason and unforunately
seen people needlessly die, so i am somewhat scarred by those experiences, so
just remember to be a good Boy Scout and BE PREPARED.
Live and enjoy each day as if it was your last and
tell those you Love that you do. ts
